Avoiding Customs Fines on Donated Good to Nepal

People often wish to bring photography or science equipment, education supplies and donated clothing through Customs for schools, hospitals, orphanages, and other social welfare projects.

Unfortunately Nepalese customs regulations are complex and set up to raise revenue. Equipment, supplies, and large packages of clothing are carefully inspected and often seized until payment of a substantial fine is made.

Donations of goods must obtain prior approval of waiver of custom fees from the Ministry of Finance. A formal written request (not an email) must be made to the Ministry of Finance. It should include details of the items to be bought through customs and details of the organization they will be donated too.

The approval process takes some time and should be made well in advance. Requests are often not approved as customs duty is large part of the total tax revenue for Nepal.